Bicycle stoplight



Sept. 2l, 1948. c, C, KNn-.TER 2,449,782

BICYCLE STOPLIGHT Filed NOV. 19, 1946 Patented Sept. 21, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,449,782 A y f l BICYCLE s'roPLIGHT Chester C. Knitter, Chicago, Ill. Application November 19, 1946, Serial No. 710,766

(Cl. 200m-52) 1 Claim. 1

My invention relates to stoplight equipment, or accessories, for bicycles or other similar conveyances.

An important object of my invention is to provide a stoplight structure secured at the rear end of the bicycle, and connected to switching means working in concert with the brake lever, when the said brake is being applied to the moving bicycle.

Another object of my invention is to provide a modied framework structure adapting the same to be receptive to specific switching means secured to one end of the brake lever, and operating in slotted means for effectuating, or breaking electrical contact.

A further object of my invention is to provide an accessory of the aforementioned character which is practical in construction, simple to attach, and connect to a bicycle conveyance, and a construction which is of such simple, elemental arrangement as to lend itself readily to economical manufacture in quantity production.

Other features, objects, and advantages inherent in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings,

bearing further elucidation and exposition in the ensuing description, wherein like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the rear end of a bicycle construction.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front View of the mechanism for making and breaking the electrical circuit, also depicting the brake lever comprising the elemental structure of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken, substantially, on the lines 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an electrical Wiring diagram illustrating the method of connecting the Wiring for the stoplight, yand switching mechanism used in the construction representing my invention.

Referring to the various views, 5 generally designates -a bicycle, having a rear mud guard 6 to which is attached the conventional stoplight 1 having also as part of its lower framework, a horizontal bar support 8, which furnishes the pivotal support for the rear wheel hub I0, driven by chain transmission 9, operated by the pedals 3|.

At the rear of the structure, as shown in Fig. 2, the brake pedal II, of conventional construction, is mounted so as to effectuate a braking action when the pedals 3| are operated in a direction contra, to the direction for propelling the bicycle forward. The said action will motivate the brake lever II, thus causing its forward end I3 to be 2 motivated upwardly, while guided within the slotted portions I6 formed in the end I2 of the bar support 8. The end I3 of the brake lever |I holds rmly the rivet structure I5, having a contact head portion I1, and having secured at its other terminus, which is threaded, the locknuts I8 and I9, which act as binding posts for the terminal 20 of the wire 2| connected to the battery 32. The other terminal 22 is provided with an arcuately formed extension 23 so as to provide eiectua make and break of contact with the rivet Contact head I1, Whenever the lever end I3 is moved upwardly by virtue of the reversal of the movement of the pedals 3| putting on the brake so as to arrest movement of the bicycle. The said contact, or terminal 22, is secured against the side of the bar 8, and insulated therefrom by insulation 25, being firmly held in place by the rivet 24. A guard I4 may be secured thereover s0 as to conceal and protect the contacting elements, or terminals 23 and I1. The terminal 22 is connected to a wire 26 and is held in place by means of a clipy 29, in turn secured by means of a screw or other similar fastening 30, whereas the wire 2l is held in place by a similar clip 21 secured to the bicycle framework by means of a, fastening or screw 28.

When it is desired to arrest the movement of the bicycle, the pedals 3| are rotated backwardly, causing the brake lever II to be actuated effectively operating the brake, simultaneously making contact between the contact head I1, and the terminal portion 23, simultaneously closing the electrical circuit and lighting up the stoplight, thus acting as a signa1 to individuals, or traic rearwardly of the bicycle 5.

I believe, I have herein described, rather succinctly, the nature and 'the operation of my invention, and inasmuch as the same is susceptible of modifications and improvements, I reserve the right to all modications and improvements falling within the scope and spirit of my invention, or those embraced in the accompanying drawings, as well as any that may fall within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention to be limited only to the appended claim.

Having thus described and disclosed my invention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: f

In Ia device of the character described including bicycle brake means provided with a brake lever, electrical contact means of hemispherical configuration secured to the said brake lever, a pair of guiding ears on the bicycle frame adjacent the iree end of the said brake lever and provided with elongated slotted portions conning the said electrical contact means to limited movement, single resilient Contact means of partially spherical configuration secured to the said bicycle frame and insulated therefrom, a, protective cover plate secured over the said resilient contact means, and binding post means on the said electrical contact means and the said resilient contact means for effective connection to an electrical circuit, the actuation of the said brake lever effectuating a. closed circuit, the said circuit remaining open normally and during the period when the said brake means is in inoperative position.

CHESTER. C.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,079,153 Cote May 4, 1937 2,090,805 Oliver Aug. 24, 1937 2,222,075 Johnston Nov. 1,9, 1942 2,271,664 `Sarchno ,.K- Peb. 3, 1942 2,358,751 Waugh Sept. 19, 1944 

